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Frequently Asked Questions

Ceremony

Approximately two months prior to commencement, all eligible candidates will receive an email invitation via their NSU student account with information on how to complete Commencement Participation Form (CPF) and order a cap and gown (regalia) directly from the NSU Bookstore vendor Oak Hall Cap & Gown. Completing a CPF reserves a space in the appropriate commencement ceremony.

Candidates should refer often to NSU's Commencement Website for complete, updated, and additional information. 

NSU 2024 commencement ceremonies will take place this year at The Rick Case Arena at the Don Taft University Center on Nova Southeastern University's main campus in, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Tickets & Seating: There will be no tickets required for guest to attend any of our commencement ceremonies. 

Live Streaming: All NSU Commencement ceremonies will also be video streamed in real time. Visit the NSU Commencement home page and click on the "Commencement Ceremony Live" link for access. All NSU Commencement video streams are archived approximately one week after the ceremony.

There will be no tickets required for guest to attend any of our commencement ceremonies.

Candidates who have achieved degree conferral status since the date of last year's commencement exercises, and prior to this year's ceremony dates, are automatically invited to participate this year (as long as they were not invited to participate in a prior year).

Otherwise, each program/school determines its "participation requirements." When in doubt, check with your academic program office or visit its commencement Web site for clarification on the requirements that must be met in order to be invited.

Rehearsals are not conducted as many candidates travel long distances to attend NSU commencement. Candidates and guests are asked to arrive one hour prior to the start of the ceremony for instructions and appropriate placement for the processional. The entrance processional will begin its march into the ceremony area 10 minutes prior to the published ceremony start time.

Your first and last name will appear in the printed commencement program as it appears in SharkLink. If you have noticed an error in previous communications, please correct the error via your SharkLink account. For a name change, complete and forward a Data Change Form and include with approved documentation.

The University has made arrangements with a professional photographer to capture the exact moment each candidate fist bumps and/or stands next to the Dean or President. 

Ceremonies are usually no more than two to two-and-a-half hours in length.

The University has made every attempt to consolidate the length of ceremonies by shortening the speeches and providing a constant flow of candidates as they celebrate, without sacrificing each candidate's special moment. It is important that each and every candidate be given an opportunity in the spotlight. Therefore, as a courtesy to your fellow classmates and their guests, please remain seated and remain there until all candidates names have been called.

Commencement bouquets and floral arrangements are available for purchase at the stadium but can only be given to candidates after the ceremony. Official NSU merchandise will also be available for purchase at the at a designated location at the stadium.

The NSU Shark Store will host Grad Fest 2024 for candidates on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Shark Store at the Don Taft University Center on the main campus.

Representatives from Herff Jones will be on site for personalized announcements and class ring orders. A wide variety of diploma frames will be offered for purchase. Additionally, representatives photographing candidates in academic regalia will be present. The portrait sitting is free of charge and picture proofs will be provided with no obligation to buy.

Email the NSU Shark Store or call (954) 262-4799 for additional information.

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